ELL SALINE HIGH SCHOOL CHEER AND DANCE TRYOUTS

THE
ECHO
May 2015
EDITION
Check us out at www.ellsaline.org
April 13 Board Meeting Report
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
All board members were present. Action taken was on a 7-0 The next regular meeting will be Monday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m. in
the District Office in Brookville. If anyone wishes to have an item
vote unless noted otherwise.
added to the agenda, please contact President Marty Kramer, VicePresident Mitch Drees or the District Office two weeks prior to the
6:55 P.M. BUDGET HEARING
meeting.
It was approved to amend the Virtual Fund budget to $42,900
due to the increase in number of virtual students attending
through the Smoky Hill Learning Center. These are not additional funds but rather are transferred out of the General Fund.
7:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
II. AUDIENCE WITH THE BOARD
None
V. REPORTS
BOE – Jamie Bradley reported that the Cardinal Foundation
fundraiser was a success and raised more funds this year than in
any previous year. Also, that the Cardinal Foundation had received an Earl Bane grant for $10,000. Jeff Parker reported that
SHESC, like school districts, is facing a shrinking budget and is
looking at ways to decrease costs and maintain programs.
Mrs. Sprinkle – Her report included: state assessment update;
professional development activities; kindergarten round up; and
potential reading program changes.
Mrs. Wildeman – Her report included: four students receiving
an Earl Bane Scholarship; BPA receiving an Earl Bane grant of
$8,000 to help fund the trip to nationals; and student activities.
Mr. Minneman – His report included: reminding the board
about the Staff Appreciation Luncheon on May 20; hosting the
HOA Forensics meet on April 6; legislative update; read one
thank you note; and dates that he will be attending meetings out
of the district before the next meeting.
VII. BUSINESS
Parents As Teachers Request—Christy Mai updated the board
on the number of families being served and activities held. The
board approved funding the program next year at the same
amount of this year which is $9,000.
Parent Fundraiser for Basketball—There was no action on this
item as no one was there to present.
Insurance Presentation—It was approved to join the Kansas Educational Risk Management Insurance Pool beginning next year.
This is for our property insurance.
Approve New Hires—The following were approved: Seth
Lamborn, 2nd Grade; and Donna Dykes, elementary lunchroom
aide. Mitch Drees excused himself from the room and this
passed 6-0.
Board Policy – 2nd Reading—These policies were approved as
presented.
There were two Executive Sessions (Personnel).
ELL SALINE HIGH SCHOOL CHEER AND
DANCE TRYOUTS
APRIL 29th and 30th at
4:00 p.m. in the gym.
Cheers and dances will be taught after school on
the 29th. Tryouts will be held on the 30th of April
at 4:00 p.m.
If you have questions, please contact Nikki
Davenport at 785-223-1164 or by email at
ndavenport@8thjd.com
Relay for Life
Ell-Saline students participated in the Saline County Youth Relay For Life, Saturday, April 11. The team brought in $1049
for the American Cancer Society by doing fundraisers and selling luminaries. The event had a
1980’s theme with ESH choosing
to decorate with Pac Man. Students participated in the shopping
cart competition, Zumba dancing,
cupcake decorating and other activities at the Salina Stadium. Mrs.
Theresa White made and has donated an Ell-Saline t-shirt quilt to
continue the fundraising efforts.
The quilt may be viewed in the
MS/HS office and silent bids will
be accepted until 4:00 pm on
Wednesday, May 13, 2015.
T-shirt quilt for silent auction benefiting Relay for Life.
Jonah Mattson and Derrell Finch display Mrs. Theresa
White’s creation.
April Students and Staff Member of the Month
April Staff Member of the Month:
John Johnson
John Johnson has been the Industrial Arts/Technology Teacher at Ell-Saline for 18 years.
This year is the first year he has not been coaching a sport but has been trying to improve the
shop and add technologies such as a 3D printer to help benefit the students. Mr. Johnson is a
member of the Brookville United Methodist Church where he helps out with music and
youth group. In school he teaches drafting, woodworking, welding, and small engines. This
allows him to have many class options for students. He says he would be bored if he only got
to teach one class, so he likes the variety. Outside of school Mr. Johnson enjoys playing the
guitar, riding horses, and riding motorcycles. He taught at two different schools before he
came to Ell-Saline and says he jumped at the chance to come back to ESH where he graduated from; It’s his home. Way to go Mr. Johnson!
April’s high school student of the month is senior Monica Wolf. Monica is the daughter of
William and Maria Wolf, and has two siblings, Julisa and Isaac Wolf. In school she participates
in Forensics, FFA, NHS, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, PALS, FOR, and Scholars’ Bowl. Monica
also is involved in Salina Community Ambassadors. In her spare time she enjoys reading and
working at Hickory Hut. In the future Monica plans to attend K-State to major in English Literature and later apply to law school to study civil law. Great job Monica!
April HS Student of the Month:
Monica Wolf
April MS Student of the Month:
Patrick Giersch
April’s middle school student of the month is eighth grader Patrick Giersch. Patrick is the son of
Karla Alley and Richard Giersch, and has three siblings Jenn, Tracee, and Amy. In school he is
involved in football, basketball, track, and Scholars’ Bowl. Outside of school Patrick likes hanging out with friends and playing baseball. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, and sleeping. Patrick’s
future plans are to attend Kansas University and study to be a doctor. Good job Patrick!
Ag in Mrs. Dennison’s Classroom
Last fall Mrs. Dennison’s third graders learned about the
five major crops of Kansas. These crops are milo, wheat,
corn, soybeans and sunflowers. Seeds were identified and
planted in “glove” gardens. Then, with the help of Carson
Fouard’s dad, John Fouard, the class created a wheat plot
in the outdoor learning center. The class observed the
growth process during the warm months and watched it sit
dormant or inactive during the cold winter months. Now
with the warm spring weather upon us, the class has seen
a dramatic change to their
wheat plot. The wheat is
growing very tall! Now,
the class is anxious to see
just how tall the wheat
will be by the end of the
school year.
Mrs. Dennison
The Ell-Saline Greenhouse will be selling plants
after school Monday through Friday from 4 p.m.
until 6 p.m. If you are not able to attend, please
call the school to set up an appointment. The following plants are available for sale:
Petunias
Geraniums
Coleus
Marigolds
Asparagus Ferns
Rose Moss
Aloe Vera
Egg Plant
Tomatoes
Peppers
Mother-in-Law Tongue
The money goes to helping the greenhouse buy
supplies, helps the facilities, and helps students
learn about running a business.
Children’s Literacy
Initiative
Ell-Saline FFA
The Ell-Saline FFA had many awards to present to the
members at their annual banquet. These students have
worked very hard to accomplish multiple tasks in their area
of award. We are proud to present these students with the
awards in which they have achieved.
Our Greenhands are the first year members that went
above and beyond just general agriculture curriculum in
the classroom. For example, they showed leadership outside of the classroom in some way. They were awarded a
Bronze Pin.
Our Chapter Degree Recipients are second year members
who continued to excel in agriculture outside of the classroom. They are awarded a Silver Pin for their efforts.
The State Degree Recipients have been awarded the highest degree that the state can award. This is relative to earning All-State Honors in a sport. These members had to
keep record of their SAE experience, and show numerous
hours of volunteerism.
FFA Chapter Degree Recipients
Emily Arnold
Mikaylee Laas
Tifanie Becker
Nathan Macy
Kyle Came
Caden Nelson
Bailey Chermak
Megan Northcutt
Cody Clancy
Brooklyn Plott
Tanier Clifford
Kamdon Basinger
Morgan Davenport
Levi Holcom
Caitlyn Hammonds
Shawn MacPherson
Hunter Hayes
Kathryn Relph
Konon Hays
John Riedel
Matthew Herring
Tyler Weems
Morgan Herring
Devin Bowers
Alivia Jennings
Kade Krebaum
Concentrators:
Ashlyn Bird
Dakota Came
Fernando Garcia
Koby Ingalsbe
Morgan Kindlesparger
Jordan Lindquist
Chance Miller
Catelyn Richards
Luke Sheridan
Collyn Fouard
Scholarship Recipients:
Collyn Fouard
Matt Willis
Kamdon Basinger
Evan Morrical
Cody Walters
Greenhands
Mattie Best
Grace Bowers
Joshua Brandt
Spencer Came
Daniel Davila
Skylar Clark
Brody Ditto
Shyanne Dreyer
Mason Ferrell
Desiree Garman
Madelyn Hayes
Austin Funk
Gayle Gillham
Nick Griffin
Garrett Jacobson
Evan Morrical
Kiva Phelps
Cody Walter
William Wilvers
Monica Wolf
What is Summer Slide?
Summer Reading loss (also known as summer slide) occurs when the skills students
learn during the school year are lost or forgotten over the summer.
Why is it so important to know how to fight
Summer Slide? Research shows…
• 1 in 6 children who are not reading at
grade level in 3rd grade will not graduate from high school
on time.
• When children do not read over the summer, they can fall 2
1/2 years behind where they should be by fifth grade!
How do I prevent Summer Slide?
The best way to prevent Summer Slide is to make reading a priority. Find time for your children to read everyday.
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Choose a book that’s right for your child’s reading level
Pick out books that interest your child
Reread favorite books
Visit the library for books and events
Do puzzles and games together that involve reading
Sing songs and nursery rhymes with young children
Get outside! Have a reading picnic or bring a book to the
park or beach
Extemporaneous
Collyn Fouard
Creed Speaking
Jennifer Nunez
Madelyn Hayes
Morgan Linenberger
Jessi Hughes
Lexi Kockanowski
Zaide Korb
Bryce Lange
Morgan Linenberger
Jonah Mattson
Makayla Miller
Cheyenne Monasmith
Malik Meyers
Nathan Parks
Tel Phelps
Nathan Schweitzberger
Chase Finch
Fallyn Morrical
Rachel Ridgeway
Terra Tanuis
Beef Production
Collyn Fouard
Jordan Lindquist
Vegetable Production
Ashlyn Bird
Morgan Kindlesparger
Goat Production
Bailey Chermak
Diversified Livestock
Collyn Fouard
Volunteerism
Catelyn Richards
State Degree
Collyn Fouard
Cody Walters
Matt Willis
Evan Morrical
Home Improvement
Matt Willis
Small Animal Production
Garret Jacobson
Proficiency Award Winners
Public Speaking
Collyn Fouard
Cody Walters
Evan Morrical
Tifanie Becker
Preventing
Summer Slide
Placement in Agriculture
Luke Sheridan
Chance Miller
Kody Came
Forestry Management
Cody Walters
Kyle Came
Outdoor Recreation
Evan Morrical
Ag Sales
Kiva Phelps
Ell-Saline USD 307
District Office
412 E. Anderson P.O. Box 157
Brookville, KS 67425-0157
(785) 225-6813
Middle/High School
414 E. Anderson P.O. Box 97
Brookville, KS 67425-0097
(785) 225-6633
Elementary School
1757 N. Halstead Rd.
Salina, KS 67401
(785) 827-8891
Return Service Requested
An Equal Employment/Educational Opportunity Agency
The Ell-Saline U.S.D. 307 Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, handicap or age in admission or access
to, or treatment in, its programs or activities. Any questions regarding in the board’s compliance with Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 may be directed to the
Title IX coordinator, who can be reached at (785) 225-6813, 412 E. Anderson, P.O. Box 157, Brookville, KS 67425, or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil
Rights, U.S. Department of Education.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Check for changes at www.ellsaline.org
May 1 NO ESE After School
May 1 10:00 HS TR @ Beloit (Relays)
May 1 4:00 HS SB @ Trinity Catholic
May 1 3:00 HS BSB @ Little River
May 1 Technology Ed. Fair @ Hays
May 2 State Speech & Drama Championships
May 3 State FFA Competition @ KSU
May 4 State FFA Competition @ KSU
May 4 6:30 CPTA Mtg. @ EL
May 5 AR Party in the Park
May 5 9:00 MS TR @ Beloit
May 5 3:00 HS TR @ Tescott
May 5 3:00 HS SB/BSB Inman @ ES
May 6 9:00 HS HOA Industrial Arts/Ag Fair @ Bennington
May 6 6:00 Senior Trip Parents Mtg.
May 6 6:30 Booster Club Mtg.
May 6 BPA National Leadership Conference @ Anaheim, CA
May 7 NO ESE After School
May 7 6:30-8:00 CPTA Talent Show
May 7 BPA National Leadership Conference @ Anaheim, CA
May 8 NO ESE After School
May 8 ACT Test Registration Deadline
May 8 3:00 HS TR @ Lincoln (Relays)
May 8 3:00 HS BSB Ellsworth @ ES
May 8 BPA National Leadership Conference @ Anaheim, CA
May 9 Senior Trip
May 9 BPA National Leadership Conference @ Anaheim, CA
May 10 Senior Trip
May 10 BPA National Leadership Conference @ Anaheim, CA
May 10 Mother’s Day
May 11 Senior Trip
May 11 4:00 HS TR HOA FR/SO Meet @ Moundridge
May 11 7:00 BOE Mtg. @ DO
May 12 Senior Trip
May 12
May 12
May 13
May 13
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 15
May 15
May 16
May 18
May 18
May 18
May 18
May 18
May 18
May 19
May 19
May 19
May 19
May 19
May 20
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 22
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 28
May 29
May 29
May 29
May 30
11:00 MS TR HOA League @ Bennington
1:00 HS HOA League Golf @ Hesston
Last day of ESE After School
Senior Trip
6th Gr. Shadow Day
7:00 HS Awards Night
8:30 Graduation Rehearsal
3:00 HS TR HOA League Meet @ Marion
MS/HS Semester Finals
1:30 High School Graduation
11:45 All School Picnic @ EL
12:30 Play Day @ EL
MS/HS Semester Finals
9:00 HS Boys Golf Regionals @ Herington
TBA HS SB Regionals @ Lincoln/BSB Regionals @ Salina
7:00 MS Awards Night
9:00 EL Pep Rally
Kdg Recognition
Last Day of School 11:00 Dismissal
TBA HS SB Regionals @ Lincoln
End of Quarter/Semester
Teacher In-Service Day
TBA HS BSB Regionals @ Salina
Teacher Work Day
Last Teacher Work Day (Set)
3:00 HS TR Regionals @ Smith Center
8:30 HS Boys State Golf @ Emporia
State FFA Convention @ KSU
HS SB @ Pratt/BSB @ Great Bend
State FFA Convention @ KSU
HS TR State @ WSU
HS SB State @ Pratt/BSB State @ Great Bend
State FFA Convention @ KSU
HS TR State @ WSU
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK
We are now very close to “teeing off on the final hole” for this school year. By the time you receive this we will have less
than 4 weeks left until we have “sank the winning putt” and school will be over for the 2014-2015 school year. It seems
like such a short time ago that we were just dusting off our clubs. This has truly been an enjoyable, positive, successful,
fast year for students, staff and patrons alike.
In the next couple of weeks we have the opportunity to look back over the students’ accomplishments of this year with the
various awards and performance nights. For our seniors we will get to take part not only in recognizing their
accomplishments of this year at the Awards Night on May 14, but also to share in their celebration of the past thirteen
th
years with their graduation exercises on May 16. For our 8 graders we will get to hear of their accomplishments of this
year and to challenge them to not only continue that, but also to build on it throughout their next four years in high school,
during their Awards Night on May 18. I encourage each of you to attend as many of these events as you can to support
our students.
Along with looking back over the past years, we are also looking forward to next year as kindergarten round-up and
enrollment are taking place. Our preliminary count of kindergartners for next year is 34. We have been interviewing
candidates, hiring new staff members and beginning to order necessary supplies. We are balancing next year’s needs
between this, and next year’s, budgets.
As we do those things this year, it is with more uncertainty than usual about next year’s, and future years’, budgets. Yes,
the legislature passed and the Governor signed the Block Grant bill which sets the funding of schools for the next two
years. The legislators publicize that more money is being allocated for K-12 education and that claim is correct. The
catch here is that the funding for classroom expenses for each of those years will be basically the same as it is for this
year. The additional money is for the State’s contribution to KPERS which is only passed through our budget and right
back to Topeka. It can’t be used for classroom expenses. It doesn’t matter if we gain 20 more students that would result
in additional expenses for supplies, materials, busing, etc., or even one student that requires additional para professional
support. Those expenses would just need to be covered somehow with the same amount of budget dollars as we have
without those additional expenses. Under the previous funding formula, there were provisions that provided additional
dollars based on the number of, and needs of, the students each year. Even if our student population stays exactly as it
is, with the cost of everything going up our budget will be stretched even tighter.
You have probably heard on the news or read in the newspaper that some area schools, as well as others across the
state, are eliminating some student days from their school year because of their financial condition. Other districts are
cutting programs or non-renewing teachers. Our financial position is much better than that. We have been able to
conserve our Contingency Reserve Fund and maintain some carry over dollars in those funds where they are allowed.
This has been possible only through our Board of Education setting budgets and expectations that not every dollar be
spent each year and the staff understanding the goals of the board and being conscientious in their requests of materials
and supplies. The staff has also applied for grants that have provided substantial dollars to help in the purchase of
resources that our budget was not able to provide. Along with all of that, we continue to look for ways to reduce expenses
and use our available resources more efficiently.
While our financial condition is still on pretty solid ground the question is “For how long?” If tax receipts continue to come
in below projections, there might well be another cut to K-12 education yet this year. This month the state’s Consensus
Revenue Estimating group met and revised this year’s estimate. Not unexpectedly the revision was a decrease rather
than an increase. The part that was unexpected was the amount of the decrease--$276 million! This leaves the State
with $400 million to come up with through a combination of tax increases and cuts. With the numbers of legislators that
have signed off on the “no tax pledge” it will take a major effort by everybody to work out a solution to this crisis. There
aren’t enough places left in the budget to cut that amount from so it will take some tax increases. Several have been
floated by key legislators but there are groups that have already taken out full page ads in newspapers to state their case
on how bad some of those ideas are. Increasing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol isn’t going to be enough. It’s going to
take some major changes maybe along the lines of rolling back the income tax reductions or the elimination of income
taxes on small businesses to have any long-lasting, sustainable source of revenue to restore Kansas’ financial condition
to where once again it can provide the necessary funding for the services that Kansans deserve. Until such time the
question of “For how long?” will continue to be a restraint on what we can provide for our students.
Regardless of the challenges that are put in front of us by action of the legislature and Governor, you can be assured that
your Board of Education will continue to work with their budget to provide your children a quality education. Thank you for
your continued trust and confidence in the Ell-Saline USD 307 school district. Please call or stop in so we can visit about
the many good things going on in your district.
PARENT/PATRON TECHNOLOGY SURVEY
One of the requirements for continuing to receive E-RATE funding, as well as to make more informed
decisions in the future, is that we have a current Technology Plan on file. A component of the plan is
that we survey the various district stakeholders (students, staff, parents/patrons) for their
satisfaction/needs/wants/direction. We will survey all of our students in grades 4-12 and all of our
staff by way of electronic means again this year.
In the past the survey for parents/patrons has been administered using paper and pencil but starting
this year we will also survey parents/patrons electronically. The survey is located on our district
website (www.ellsaline.org) in a tab at the top of the screen. We appreciate it if you would take a few
minutes to complete the survey by May 15.
Thank you in advance to everyone that will be helping us this year as we continue to improve the
educational opportunities of our students at USD 307 Ell-Saline.
COMMIT TO BE FIT
Ell-Saline Community & Families. Commit to Be Fit with Family Fun and Fitness. Bring your family or
just yourself and Run, Walk, Dodge a Ball, Play a Nutrition Game and create a healthy My Plate
Snack. Fun for all!
May 7, 5:30 to 6:30. (Just prior to the CPTA Talent show at 7:00) Details and sign ups to come
soon.
Ell-Saline Wellness Committee